Chapter 23: Getting Back Together Part 1

Shi Sui had fallen asleep.

Jiang Ruoning confirmed it several times. Shi Sui had indeed fallen asleep.

She had noticed it ten minutes earlier, but at the time, she thought Shi Sui was just pretending to sleep. Over those ten minutes, she glanced at Shi Sui five or six times. Each time she turned her head, Shi Sui was leaning against the sofa backrest, her head drooping low, eyes tightly closed.

Sleeping like that must be uncomfortable, right?

Jiang Ruoning twisted her neck. She could move it now, and it didn’t hurt much anymore. Worried that Shi Sui might wake up with a crick in her neck too, she gently pushed Shi Sui.

Shi Sui was in a hazy sleep, her mind clouded by the alcohol. Hearing the familiar voice, she barely opened her eyes. Jiang Ruoning’s features were right in front of her, seemingly saying something to her. Shi Sui chuckled and suddenly reached out, pulling Jiang Ruoning into a hug.

Jiang Ruoning’s body stiffened.

She wasn’t sure if it was because of Shi Sui’s laugh just now.

Or because of the sudden embrace.

The motion was too familiar.

Familiar enough to give Jiang Ruoning the illusion that they had hugged a million times.

This person—

Did she often hug others like this?

Jiang Ruoning gritted her teeth, a bit unhappy. She pushed Shi Sui again. As she tried to shift her arm, Shi Sui buried her face in Jiang Ruoning’s neck and murmured coquettishly, “Ruoning.”

Jiang Ruoning was instantly stunned.

She was calling her, right?

Somewhat in disbelief, Jiang Ruoning asked, “Shi Sui?”

Shi Sui’s voice was thick with sleepiness and drunkenness as she softly echoed, “Mm?”

Jiang Ruoning bit her lower lip and asked, “Do you know who I am?”

Without even opening her eyes, Shi Sui replied, “Jiang Ruoning, are you joking with me?”

Jiang Ruoning pursed her lips.

She knew it was her.

This realization inexplicably lifted her mood. Generously, she let Shi Sui hold her like that. It was just… hot.

Her neck was starting to sweat.

Finally, Jiang Ruoning awkwardly shifted into a new position, letting Shi Sui rest her head on her lap. She watched TV while occasionally looking down at Shi Sui’s sleeping face. Shi Sui’s cheeks were a bit warm to the touch. Jiang Ruoning brushed her fingers over Shi Sui’s forehead—it was normal body temperature. It was just the alcohol making her face flush, not a fever.

She let out a breath of relief. Lowering her head, she stopped watching the movie altogether, afraid of disturbing Shi Sui’s sleep. Considerately, Jiang Ruoning turned down the volume.

The flickering light from the movie danced across Shi Sui’s face, outlining her features.

This person slept quite honestly.

Her hands didn’t wander, nor did her legs.

Jiang Ruoning felt playful. She reached out and poked Shi Sui’s cheek. There wasn’t much flesh there, but it wasn’t gaunt either—it even dimpled slightly. Jiang Ruoning let out a delighted sound, then realized how silly she was being. She blinked and turned her gaze back to the TV.

From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Shi Sui.

Shi Sui’s forehead, Shi Sui’s nose bridge, Shi Sui’s thin lips.

As Jiang Ruoning watched, her finger unconsciously brushed over Shi Sui’s lips.

So soft.

Such a vibrant red color.

She really wanted to kiss them.

A kiss wouldn’t be a big deal, right?

She even kissed herself in the car.

Jiang Ruoning reassured herself and leaned down. Just as her lips were about to touch Shi Sui’s, her body froze.

Reason and desire tugged at her.

Her clenched palms were sweating.

No.

That would be too rude.

Jiang Ruoning waged an internal battle. Just as she was about to pull back, the person resting on her legs suddenly opened her eyes.

Without any warning.

Just like that!

Jiang Ruoning’s heart pounded as if hammered. She blurted out, “I was checking if you were still breathing.”

What a lame excuse!

Shi Sui actually played along. “Mm, not dead yet.”

Jiang Ruoning gave a dry laugh. “Ha…”

It didn’t come out.

Shi Sui hooked her arm around Jiang Ruoning’s neck, pulled her head down, and drew her close.

Jiang Ruoning’s slightly parted lips pressed against warm, soft ones.

She blinked.

Lowered her head.

Her gaze met Shi Sui’s.

They intertwined.

Jiang Ruoning couldn’t remember if she had initiated it or if Shi Sui had pulled her in. She only felt how soft those lips were, how deft that tongue.

When had Shi Sui sat up?

She didn’t know.

She only knew the arms holding her grew tighter, nearly enveloping her entirely. Jiang Ruoning straddled Shi Sui’s lap, her arms around Shi Sui’s neck. One hand brushed over Shi Sui’s cheek, trailing down her slender neck.

Such delicate skin, so smooth and tender. Jiang Ruoning felt Shi Sui’s tongue tip sweep her lip corner, kiss her lips, her jaw, her collarbone—sucking hard. Jiang Ruoning yelped in pain, her whole body tingling.

Her hand unconsciously slid to Shi Sui’s chest.

The soft, full sensation made Jiang Ruoning jolt.

Images from her erotic dream flooded her mind, overlapping with the trembling of her real body. Suddenly, Jiang Ruoning shoved Shi Sui away hard.

Shi Sui’s back hit the sofa as she looked at Jiang Ruoning.

Her eyes were full of bewilderment.

Jiang Ruoning was bewildered too.

She didn’t know how they had suddenly ended up embracing and kissing.

Okay, maybe she had started it.

But it had gone way too far.

Her fingertips still held the lingering softness of Shi Sui’s chest, the flawless curves molded by her touch into various shapes.

So—

So thirsty.

Jiang Ruoning quickly grabbed a glass of water from the table and gulped it down.

It was sweet.

Honey water.

Shi Sui’s glass.

The sensation of their kiss assaulted her again. The sweetness from their tangled tongues was like the most potent aphrodisiac, leaving her dizzy. Jiang Ruoning snatched her bag from the floor and said to Shi Sui, “I’m heading out first.”

Afraid Shi Sui might call her back, she bolted for the door like she was fleeing.

As she changed shoes, she caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror—her face flushed enough to pinch blood from.

Jiang Ruoning took a deep breath, yanked open the door, and rushed out.

Shi Sui didn’t call after her.

Jiang Ruoning leaned against the doorframe, steadying her breathing.

She wanted to spend time with Shi Sui and wouldn’t mind if something happened.

But it had to be after they both clarified their feelings—not this ambiguous mess.

Jiang Ruoning touched her lips.

They stung.

Shi Sui had sucked so hard.

Her tongue still felt numb.

On her lips, she said it couldn’t be ambiguous, but deep down, a subtle thrill rose.

She was such a hypocrite!

Jiang Ruoning scorned herself. Hearing footsteps behind her, she straightened up and walked to the elevator with her head down.

“Ruoning.” It wasn’t Shi Sui calling her—it was Zhou Man.

Jiang Ruoning turned, feeling guilty. “Sister Xiao Man.”

Zhou Man looked at her flushed face, sparkling eyes mixed with shyness and sweetness.

She asked, “You two…”

“I, we—” Jiang Ruoning started to say nothing happened, but then remembered lying to Zhou Man before coming in. She couldn’t lie again. Gritting her teeth, she said, “We, she and I—” She bit her lip, trailing off, then grabbed Zhou Man’s arm. “Sister Xiao Man.”

She buried her whole face in Zhou Man’s shoulder.

Such a grown woman, yet so adorably coy.

In that instant, Zhou Man envisioned Jiang Ruoning from six years ago. Once, they had stood by a corridor window looking out—maybe at the stars. They got excited chatting, and Jiang Ruoning kissed her. Zhou Man had just come up in the elevator. Hearing the doors open, Jiang Ruoning turned, looking just like this.

Utterly shy.

She was still the same, still getting this shy.

But only because of Shi Sui.

Zhou Man patted her shoulder, amused. “I didn’t even ask anything.”

Jiang Ruoning climbed on the bandwagon. “Then you can’t ask anything!”

Zhou Man said, “Okay, I won’t ask.”

Only then did Jiang Ruoning straighten up, patting her cheeks. Her eyes were still red-tinged. Zhou Man said, “Have you… told Zhengzheng and the others?”

“Not yet.” Jiang Ruoning replied, “I’m planning to bring her to dinner with Zhengzheng the day after tomorrow.”

Zhou Man nodded. “That’s fine too.”

She looked at Jiang Ruoning. “You really like her?”

Jiang Ruoning answered without thinking, “A bit…” Then she glanced at Zhou Man. “You said you wouldn’t ask.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t ask.” Zhou Man cooed at her like a child. Jiang Ruoning scratched her head and volunteered, “Sister Xiao Man, I just kissed her.”

Zhou Man had guessed from her expression, but the bluntness stunned her.

Jiang Ruoning continued, “I don’t know what happened. I know it’s too fast.” She rambled incoherently. Zhou Man watched her, soothing, “Ruoning, there’s no fast or slow in liking someone.”

You think it’s too fast.

But your heart

Has already waited six years.

That’s why it’s like a moth to the flame again.

Zhou Man didn’t know if Jiang Ruoning would resent her once she learned the truth, but she wanted to protect this sweetness for now.

Be even happier.

Jiang Ruoning was convinced, smiling.

Zhou Man walked her to the elevator. Jiang Ruoning’s phone vibrated in her bag, beeping insistently.

Was it Shi Sui?

Jiang Ruoning bit her lip, pulled out her phone, and saw the flashing screen—it was her mom.

The elevator was quiet for a moment. Jiang Ruoning answered. Jiang Qin asked, “What are you doing? Took so long to pick up.”

Jiang Ruoning said, “At Sister Xiao Man’s place. I just came over for something.”

“Oh, Xiao Man.” Jiang Qin’s voice softened at the mention. “Did you bring fruit? Don’t go empty-handed.”

“I did, I did.” Jiang Ruoning lied smoothly. “I even bought stuff for Xiao Guai.”

“Don’t buy her candy.” Jiang Qin laughed. “Last time she had a toothache from eating too much.”

Jiang Ruoning lowered her eyes. “I know, Mom.”

Jiang Qin said, “Are you heading home now?”

Jiang Ruoning: “Yeah, about to get in the car.”

“Drive safely.” Jiang Qin said, “I sent three boxes of fruit back. They’ll arrive tomorrow. Give one to Zhengzheng and one to Xiao Man.”

Jiang Ruoning muttered, “Mom, you’re nicer to them than to me.”

“It’s only right to be nice to them.” Jiang Qin said, “If not for Xiao Man, you and I…”

“Mom!” Jiang Ruoning cut her off, afraid she’d bring up the past and trigger old pains. She changed the subject. “What fruit did you buy?”

“Local specialties. I sent a box to your godmother too. She got it today and ate some—said it tastes great.”

Seeing her mom drop the topic, Jiang Ruoning quietly relaxed. She opened the car door and got in. Hearing the sound, Jiang Qin said, “Then drive safe. Don’t go too fast.”

“Got it, Mom.” Jiang Ruoning hung up and saw Shi Sui’s message from three minutes ago: [Left?]

Stay and let you devour me whole?

Jiang Ruoning gritted her teeth.

Why did she feel like she was the one devoured? She was pretty impressive too, okay!

Jiang Ruoning didn’t reply.

A new message from Shi Sui popped up: [Ruoning.]

Sitting in the car, Jiang Ruoning’s face burned hot again, nearly smoking. Shi Sui’s husky voice calling her name echoed in her ears effortlessly.

Her legs felt a bit… weak.

She patted her cheeks and typed back primly: [What?]

Shi Sui: [Where are you?]

Jiang Ruoning: [Just got to the garage.]

Shi Sui: [Heading home?]

Jiang Ruoning sneaked a glance in the mirror. Good, it was dark inside; her flush wasn’t visible. She could play it cool: [Yeah, on my way home.]

Shi Sui: [Drive safe then. Call me when you get home.]

Hmph!

Who would call you?

Jiang Ruoning grumbled inwardly but typed obediently: [Okay.]

Jiang Ruoning felt like a bundle of contradictions right now.

Obedient one moment, rebellious the next.

Wanting her one moment, and… still wanting her the next.

She sat calmly in the car for a while, but her heart still raced. She pulled out her work schedule to glance at, instantly cooling down. She stepped on the gas and headed home. Traffic was light, so she arrived faster than usual.